Democratic States Sue to Block Trump Mail-In Ballot Rules

Democratic-led states and local government entities have launched federal lawsuits to block new United States Postal Service rules stemming from an executive order by Donald Trump. The rules mandate that mail-in ballots feature unique barcodes and ZIP codes and require states to provide lists of eligible voters to the USPS. The agency will refuse to deliver ballots to voters not included in a federal database or to states that do not comply with envelope designs.

These legal challenges follow a decision by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani to lift a nationwide injunction against the order. Talwani reversed her previous block after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in a separate case that she had erred by blocking rules before they were finalized. While Talwani noted the USPS violated her order by finalizing the rules on August 21, she declined to penalize the government or void the policy for the 2026 election.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James argue the rules violate the Constitution by infringing on state authority over elections. Travis County, Texas, also joined a lawsuit to protect voter participation. The Trump administration maintains the measures are necessary to reduce fraud and ensure election security, while critics warn the last-minute changes will disenfranchise voters ahead of the November midterm elections.